Location: Lochee, Dundee
Technology: Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and battery storage
CARES funding: £32,135
Date installed: February 2025
Background
The Dundee Boys’ Brigade’s headquarters in Lochee is used frequently by the Boys’ Brigade and a wide range of other groups. It is an important hub for the local community.
Faced with rising energy costs and a desire to support Scotland’s net zero targets, the trustees and leaders were keen to install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels with a battery storage system at Lochee.
Outcomes and achievements
The Dundee Boys’ Brigade applied to the Scottish Government’s Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES) and got a capital grant of £32,135. This funding went towards the installation of a PV array and battery storage system, which was completed in February 2025.
The installation is now not only reducing Dundee Boys’ Brigade’s carbon footprint and energy bills but also providing an additional source of income when surplus energy is exported via the Smart Export Guarantee.
As a result, more funds are now available to support the organisation’s other initiatives and activities. The savings will also allow the Dundee Boys’ Brigade to freeze annual membership subscriptions and hall rental rates.
A spokesperson from Dundee Boys’ Brigade shared that the support it received from its CARES development officer was “fantastic, and without which, our project may well have faltered!”
Lessons learned
The Dundee Boys’ Brigade advises working with professionals to help prepare the applications that need to be submitted to local authorities for PV installations. It also notes that it’s best to work with a contractor that has experience in similar projects.
The Dundee Boys’ Brigade suggests not to underestimate the demands in finishing the planning and building standards, especially the time commitment needed to complete them. And to make full use of the encouragement and support available from Local Energy Scotland.
The Dundee Boys’ Brigade welcome anyone who is interested in starting their own project to contact them to arrange a visit to learn more about their project.